Chapter 138 Everyone Begs for Him?
Cressida's expression remained indifferent: "He won't. In his eyes, I'm a woman who can easily be moved by a few sweet words."
Otherwise, Marshall wouldn't have come before her so confidently to say those things.
Besides, Cressida wasn't afraid of him knowing.
Marshall dared to scheme and use the official robe to lure Michael into gambling, which meant he had already made a move against The Hamilton Mansion.
For such behavior, Cressida absolutely could not tolerate it.
She hadn't yet reclaimed the military honors and glory—The Hamilton Mansion couldn't have any stain on its reputation.
Ingrid hurried into the room.
"Ms. Hamilton, Princess Bella is here."
Emma added: "Why are all these distinguished visitors coming today?"
Cressida paused, then had someone escort Bella to the garden pavilion.
Different people required different treatment.
Bella wore a red dress, charming and radiant.
When Bella saw Cressida waiting for her in the pavilion, a blush and sweet smile appeared on her beautiful face.
"Cressida!" Bella called out warmly.
Cressida greeted her formally, but Bella quickly helped her up.
"Alright, please sit. I didn't want to bother you at this time. I know The Hamilton Mansion just had an incident and you must be very busy. However, I've brought good news." Bella pulled her to sit down together.
Cressida served her tea and asked slowly: "What good news?"
Bella blinked: "About Michael, of course. Though he was foolish, he's still your brother. Don't worry, my mother has already asked my uncle to gather evidence to help clear Michael's name."
Cressida looked at her calmly: "Princess Bella, are you referring to Mr. Harry Chambers?"
"Exactly!" Bella smiled.
But seeing no joy on Cressida's face, Bella frowned in confusion.
"You don't seem as happy as I expected?"
"This matter could have been big or small, but with Mr. Chambers getting involved, I'm afraid His Majesty will read too much into it," Cressida said.
Bella waved her hand: "No, it's not just Harry helping you. I heard various forces are mobilizing, all wanting to plead for Michael and get him out of prison. But Cressida, you must remember, I was the first one to help you. You owe me one."
Cressida smiled slightly: "When I pay my respects to Cameron, I'll put in a good word for you."
Unexpectedly, Bella covered her face and laughed at this.
"Why are you teasing me!" Bella blushed first.
She didn't stay long before leaving.
Throughout the afternoon, Cressida received much intelligence.
Michael's case had become a power play among various factions, each trying to be the first to save Michael.
Only Miguel made no move.
Because only he knew that what Cressida wanted was Michael's life.
As evening fell and darkness descended.
Cressida called Emma: "Mother has been confined long enough. Let her out. Maybe she can still see Michael one last time."
As Cressida expected, when Clio saw the courtyard door unlocked, she immediately rushed out.
Ignoring everyone else, Clio had Nanny accompany her and took a carriage to the government prison.
During these days of house arrest, she had written many documents denouncing Cressida's evil deeds!
However, when she arrived at the government office, Clio held up her petition and requested to visit the prisoner.
But she didn't even get through the door before being driven out.
"By order of His Majesty, this case involves serious matters. No one is permitted to visit!"
Clio cried: "Let me see Marshall. He was framed and slandered. He didn't kill anyone, and he didn't pawn the official robe!"
Nanny saw that if she kept crying out, the guards would draw their swords, so she quickly dragged her back to the carriage.
"Mrs. Clio Hamilton, please stop making a fuss. Let's wait peacefully at the estate. I heard that even Mr. Harry Chambers has been alerted about Mr. Michael Hamilton's case, and Princess Sophie personally pleaded with His Majesty."
"Really?" Clio seemed to see a last glimmer of hope.
She gripped Nanny's hand tightly, her eyes wide with surprise and joy: "Michael has hope of being released, doesn't he?"
Nanny nodded through the pain: "Of course. Everyone in the country must consider The Hamilton Mansion's reputation. Mr. Michael Hamilton is Mr. Patrick Hamilton's only son—everyone knows what's at stake."
Clio breathed a long sigh of relief: "That's right, that's right! Quick, back to the estate. I must tell Mr. Patrick Hamilton about Cressida's evil deeds!"
Even if Michael hadn't been released yet, Clio would make sure Cressida was punished!
However, when Clio went to Patrick's room and handed him the papers filled with accusations against Cressida, Patrick didn't even look at them before tearing them to shreds.
"Mr. Hamilton! What are you doing?" Clio was stunned.
Patrick wore a white robe, his eyes bloodshot, sitting on the edge of the bed while Echo gently rubbed his back.
His face was grim: "You ask what I'm doing? At a time like this, you're still slandering Cressida? Isn't the household chaotic enough!"
Clio's face turned pale: "That wretched Cressida harmed Michael, set up a scheme to make us think the authorities arrested him, and tricked you into writing a confession. Which of these doesn't deserve death!"
"Silence!" Patrick suddenly stood up, then grabbed the bedpost due to dizziness. Echo quickly supported him.
"Mr. Hamilton, please be careful..." Echo said worriedly.
Patrick pushed Echo's hand away and glared at Clio: "If I hadn't written the confession, should I have just watched Michael destroy the Hamilton family's foundation?"
"You ignorant woman, do you know that Prince Marshall and Princess Bella came to the estate today because Cressida spoke well of Michael to them? After they returned, people in the palace gradually began pleading for Michael. Cressida arranged it all! Otherwise, it would be good enough if they didn't kick us while we're down!"
Clio looked at Patrick in shock, complex emotions flashing in her eyes.
When did Patrick start thinking Cressida was a good daughter?
Patrick seemed to think only Cressida could be relied upon now.
You know, when Cressida first returned from the military fortress, the person who despised her most and wanted her to disappear from Emerald City was also Patrick!
Tears streamed down Clio's face because she felt powerless to control anything happening before her eyes.
"Mr. Hamilton, I'll say just one thing—you must believe me. Cressida will get Michael killed! You must lock Cressida up now!"
"Outrageous! Vicious woman! You're absolutely vicious!" Patrick cursed, breathing heavily.
He pointed at Clio, his eyes dark: "From the moment you came in, all you've done is make accusations. You never once asked about my condition. Get out, get out!"
Echo feared Patrick would become seriously ill from anger.
Her child hadn't been born yet. If something happened to Patrick now, who would inherit the title?
"Someone, take Mrs. Clio Hamilton out!" For once, Echo showed some backbone.
Clio's eyes blazed: "How dare a lowly wretch like you speak to me?"
She lunged forward to attack, but the servants quickly restrained Clio's hands.
Echo grew bolder and slapped her—the sound rang out sharply, leaving Clio's hair disheveled.
Echo scolded: "Take her out quickly. Don't let her go crazy and hurt Mr. Hamilton or my unborn child."
Everyone knew that Echo's unborn child was now valued by The Hamilton Mansion.
The servants dragged the still-stunned Clio out.
The door closed, and soon Clio's curses could be heard outside.
Patrick was utterly exhausted. He closed his eyes and said: "How did I marry such a shrew? If I had listened to Cressida back then and divorced Clio first, how would things have come to this?"
Hearing this, even Echo couldn't help but marvel inwardly—
Cressida was truly formidable.
Clio tired herself out cursing and was helped back by Nanny, crying.
Walking under the corridor with the wind blowing, Clio kept consoling herself.
"Once Michael comes back, everything will be fine. He's my support. Even if that wretch Echo gives birth to a son, he can't compare to Michael."
Nanny agreed: "Yes, Mrs. Hamilton, you mustn't damage your health now."
Just as she finished speaking, they looked up to see Cressida approaching from the other end of the corridor with her maid.
She wore a snow-blue cloak, much like the one she wore the day she returned home.
The lantern light flickered at her feet, each step seeming to tread between reality and illusion, silent yet oppressive.
Nanny unconsciously stepped back half a pace.
Cressida stopped not far from them, her cloak hanging down, her presence like a mountain collapsing, pressing down on them.
Clio was on high alert, her whole body tense: "Cressida, you dare appear before me!"
Cressida's fine brows were like blades, her eyes like cold stars. Hearing this, her heroic face showed no emotion.
"Mother, why are you still so angry? Couldn't you see Michael?" Her voice wasn't loud, but carried a faint mockery.
Clio seemed to have her tail stepped on, her voice becoming shrill: "Don't get too smug! No matter how capable you are, the entire court is now trying to save Michael's life!"
"When he comes back, Cressida, everything you've done will be known. Mr. Hamilton will beat you to death. Just you wait!"
Cressida's loose hair by her temples swayed in the autumn wind.
Facing the hysterical Clio, Cressida was as calm as a deep pool.
Looking at Clio's confident expression, Cressida laughed softly.
Cressida walked past Clio like a cold autumn night wind, sharp as a blade. Clio instinctively stepped back and nearly lost her footing.
"Cressida! You heartless thing, you'll get your comeuppance sooner or later!"
Clio cursed at Cressida's retreating figure, then was helped back to her room by Nanny.
Heaven knows, after Cressida glanced at her, Nanny broke out in a cold sweat.
Something was wrong—tonight, Cressida's aura was filled with killing intent.
It was eleven o'clock at night.
Cressida arrived at the prison.
Miguel had already made arrangements here. Cressida nodded to the jailers.
"I'll be back in thirty minutes." After she spoke, all the jailers withdrew.
Cressida walked to the innermost cell and looked at the figure slumped in the weeds.
In just these few days, Michael, who used to live in luxury, had become like a beggar—ragged clothes, disheveled hair, his body covered with bloody welts from whipping.
Hearing a sound, Michael suddenly woke up, looked up, and saw Cressida's figure.
"Cressida?" His voice was hoarse.
The next instant, Michael lunged forward like a madman, shaking the iron bars.
"Let me out! Let me out now! Why did Father and Mother only send you to get me now? You useless thing, do you know how much I've suffered? Do you know!"